It’s easy to fall for persuasive outdoor marketing when everyone tells us we need the best hiking gear to explore our own backyards. While it’s true that a trail shoe beats a flip-flop, and a down jacket is better than a wool coat, sometimes “best” simply translates to “most comfortable.” Take hiking shorts: All you really need is something breathable and comfy—nothing more, nothing less. With that in mind, here are a handful of the best hiking shorts that fit the bill because they’re simple, durable and forgettable in the best way. My top choice to provide comfort on hikes for most people is the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Shorts.
My experience with hiking shorts goes back over a decade, but my perspective shifted in 2022 while backpacking in Europe. With limited space in my pack, I looked beyond typical hiking shorts and wore what I already knew I liked: a pair of Vuori Kore Shorts. Light, breathable and designed for movement, I realized the best hiking shorts don’t have to reinvent the wheel and can work for all sorts of big adventures. Below, the hiking shorts I recommend for weekends in the woods, thru hikes, travel and more.
Why We Named Them Best For Most People
There’s a reason the Ferrosi platform has such a devoted following: It’s simple, well-made and adaptable. The shorts version carries over everything I love about the pants, like an adjustable waistband for a better fit, a soft-shell-style fabric that moves with you and a pocket configuration that just makes sense (four on the women’s design, five on the men’s). The inseam lengths are also solid, at 5 inches for women and 7 for men, hitting a sweet spot for most activities. The design transitions well from hiking to backpacking to daily wear without missing a beat.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Them
At $90, the Ferrosi Shorts are twice the price of my budget pick, the REI Active Pursuit Shorts, and that gap is worth considering before you buy. The pockets, while plentiful, run shallow, so if you’re carrying a really big phone or anything bulky, you may notice it. And there’s no real fly, which is a small gripe, but one worth mentioning for the old school hikers among us.
Why We Named Them Best Budget
Most budget hiking shorts guides default to REI’s Sahara Cargo Shorts, but I actually think that’s the wrong call. Those shorts lean on thigh pockets that add weight when packed full, which gets in the way as you’re getting active. The Active Pursuit Shorts solve that problem by skipping the bulk altogether. They’re light, built with four-way stretch fabric that moves with you and still manage enough pocket storage to carry what you need. Add UPF 50+ sun protection and a price that’s hard to beat at less than $45, and you’ve got a genuinely capable short that just so happens to cost half of what most hiking shorts run.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Them
These are technically athletic shorts, so if you have a strong preference for traditional hiking short fit and fabric, you might want to look elsewhere. In practice, the Active Pursuit Shorts perform well enough on trail that I don’t think the distinction should scare you off, but it is something to keep in mind.
Why We Named Them Best For Travel
A good travel short should keep up with the day’s adventures, first and foremost, but it should also be comfortable and even look presentable for those down moments in between. The prAna Stretch Zion Shorts manage that balance well, and I can vouch for the style firsthand after wearing the pants version for five years (I only recently retired them when a few rips and tears became hard to ignore). The shorts carry over the same breathable, comfortable fit, with a couple of inseam options, an adjustable waistband and built-in UPF protection. Wear them from the trail straight to a family dinner without looking like you just came off the mountain.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Them
A few years ago, prAna redesigned the Stretch Zion line, and diehard fans of the original design noted a drop in quality. I haven’t run into durability issues with the updated pants version, but if you plan to put your shorts through serious abuse, it’s worth keeping that in mind. I haven’t tested the current build to the same five-year extremes as the original, but they’ve held up well so far.
Why We Named Them Best For Versatility
Patagonia’s Baggies have been around since 1982, and there’s a reason the design hasn’t really changed in over four decades. From hiking to swimming to biking to mowing the lawn, the recycled nylon shell and mesh liner mean you can go straight from a lake to a trail, and the elastic drawstring waist keeps them on. They come in a wide range of inseams and an almost absurd number of colors and patterns, so finding a pair that fits your style isn’t an issue. At $75, you’re essentially paying for a pair of shorts that can replace three or four single-purpose ones in your closet.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Them
The trade-off for the Baggies’ durability is stiffness. The nylon doesn’t have much give, so if you’re squatting, scrambling or sitting for long stretches, you might feel it bunch up around your thighs. The pockets also skip zippers, which isn’t a problem until you’re scrambling and wonder whether your phone is still in your pocket or tumbling down the mountain.
Why We Named Them Best For Durability
Fjäll Räven has built its reputation on gear that outlasts its owner, and the Abisko Hybrid Trail Shorts carry that philosophy onto the trail. The front panel uses the brand’s proprietary G-1000 fabric, a bombproof recycled blend that’s tough enough to take a beating from rocks, branches and unpleasant weather. Meanwhile, the back and inner thighs feature a fabric with more give, so you’re not sacrificing mobility for toughness. The $135 price tag is steep, but it truly reflects the quality and attention to detail. Ultimately, you’re paying for shorts that are built to survive the gnarliest of conditions.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Them
All that ruggedness comes with trade-offs. The G-1000 front panel is a bit heavier and stiffer than typical hiking shorts, and the price is steep, especially next to budget-minded styles. If you mostly hike in hot, humid conditions, the front fabric’s added bulk means slightly less breathability as well.
Other Hiking Shorts I’ve Tested
- Blackstrap Evap Active Shorts: Blackstrap’s Evap Active Shorts pair a colorful palette with lightweight performance. In many ways, the style’s versatility reminds me of the Patagonia Baggies, but the fact that the Baggies have a liner makes them a bit more versatile in my opinion. Truly, the Evap Shorts are great for hiking, swimming and casual wear, but the lack of a liner means you can’t just jump into a body of water if you’re sporting underwear underneath. Either you de-layer on the fly, or deal with soggy drawers.
- Black Diamond Pursuit Shorts: I really like Black Diamond’s Pursuit Shorts—the nylon fabric feels great, and the five-pocket layout is just about perfect. Sadly, the style doesn’t make use of a built-in, adjustable waistband, so as you get more active, the material loosens up and loses its fit. I found them plenty comfortable over the first few miles of an all-day ski tour, but by the end of the day—about 14 miles later—they were falling down, and I had to thread a ski strap through the belt loop to keep them up. Obviously, you can wear a belt, but I much prefer shorts with built-in adjustability.
How We Chose The Best Hiking Shorts
Hiking shorts can make or break your time on the trail. To find the best hiking shorts, I considered a handful of key factors, including durability, storage, fit and overall comfort.
- Durability: Hiking shorts take a beating, which is why I looked for fabrics that hold up to the elements. A style that falls apart after a season isn’t doing its job, no matter how comfortable it feels on day one.
- Storage: I prioritized shorts with enough pockets to carry those all-important trail essentials, like a phone and snacks. Pocket placement matters too, because a pocket that’s too shallow or hard to reach defeats the purpose of the pocket.
- Fit: Hiking shorts come in a range of inseams, waist styles and cuts, so I paid attention to size ranges and adjustability.
- Comfort: Shorts can be durable and well-fitted and still feel uncomfortable after a few miles. I looked for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics that move with you.
How To Shop For Hiking Shorts
- Durability: Hiking shorts don’t often reveal their weak points until you’ve already put them through their paces. Before buying a pair, consider the fabric type and weight, and look for reviews that mention how the material holds up after repeated wear and washing. A cheaper pair may seem appealing, but if it frays or tears after a handful of hikes, it isn’t saving money in the long run.
- Storage: Consider what you actually carry in your pockets on a typical hike, then find shorts that can hold those items. A pair with multiple pockets in different spots, including zippered or buttoned options, generally serves you better than one with a couple of shallow pockets.
- Fit: From inseam length to waist style to overall cut, hiking shorts come in different shapes and sizes. Look for pairs with adjustable waistbands or a range of inseam options that make it easier to dial in the right fit for your build and your preferred activities.
- Materials: If you hike in hot weather or run warm, fabric makes a real difference in terms of comfort. Breathable, quick-drying materials and a hint of stretch can spell the difference between shorts you forget you’re wearing and ones you’re readjusting every few miles.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted gear team writes dozens of equipment and apparel guides each year, many of which cover the latest and greatest hiking gear.
- Author of this guide and Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta has reviewed outdoor gear and apparel for over six years. As an avid backpacker, he logs miles every year in a range of hiking shorts and pants, and he often wears them beyond the trail to determine how they function in everyday life.
- We regularly revisit and update this guide to review our recommendations and add information as needed. It was first published in June 2026.